Motorsport | Superbikes

Rea makes it a Thai double

Kawasaki rider Jonathan Rea has taken his tally to four wins from four races in this year’s World Superbike Championship when he picked victory in the rain-interrupted second race in Thailand on Sunday.

The Northern Irishman also won both races in Australia at the Phillip Island Circuit in the opening round of the season in February.

The defending world champion was 4.07 seconds ahead of teammate, England's Tom Sykes, who was followed by Ducati's Marco Melandri on the Chang International Circuit.

The race was initially red-flagged on the fifth lap when Aprilia rider Lorenzo Savadori crashed leaving oil and debris on the track.

At the restart, due to the new reverse grid positions rules introduced for World Superbikes in 2017, Rea started in ninth position on the grid but worked his was up to the front again but due to the dangerous wet conditions the race was stopped again.

The race then restarted again with Rea in pole and he dominated for the remaining 16 laps claiming a 42nd career victory in the series, with 12 doubles.

Since 2015, the 30-year-old Rea has won five of the last six races held on the Chang International Circuit.

In an interview after his dominating display, Rea said he was feeling very happy with his bike.

"I'm so happy. I made a good start and managed to get clean away and stay in a rhythm. I'm feeling good with the bike," said Rea.

On the final corner, Sykes overtook Melandri to clinch second spot, with Alex Lowes, Jordi Torres and Chaz Davies completing the top six.

In the championship standings, Rea has a 30-point lead over second-placed Davies with 70 and Sykes is in third with 62 points. Lowes has 49 in fourth place.